COMMONERS’ ponies are being put at risk by fly-tippers who dump grass and other colic-inducing garden waste in the beautiful New Forest.

Now Official Verderer Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre is urging residents to report fly-tippers to the Forestry Commission, the police or New Forest District Council.

“Fly-tipping offenders risk prosecution,” he said.

“The fly-tipping of any waste is a serious criminal offence nationwide which carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine or five years imprisonment.”

He told the June Verderers’ Court at Queen’s house, Lyndhurst, the office had received a string of reports of householders dumping lawn mowings on the forest.

“It does not matter if the grass is neatly bagged, the animals will find it irresistible anyway and try to eat it with dire consequences,” he warned.

“In addition we have had a report of large quantities of cut bread, of all things, being dumped out on the forest.

“This new form of fly-tipping is also very dangerous to forest stock.”

Colic, which is a potential killer in horses, is caused by the animals gorging themselves on unrestricted quantities of vegetation, apples or foodstuffs such as bread.

Mr Crosthwaite Eyre also criticised people who put out hay for ponies in the belief they are being helpful.

“In fact, it does more harm than good and is a breach of our bylaws,” he said.

“It is regrettable that almost every year an announcement like this has to be made, but we simply cannot afford to ignore these ongoing problems.”